Recent weeks have seen significant regulatory and policy activity across jurisdictions. Internationally, governments are advancing frameworks on artificial intelligence, data protection, and biotechnology, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and consumer safeguards.India has introduced and enacted a series of legislative measures spanning labour regulation, renewable energy, online gaming, semiconductor design, taxation, ports, and digital infrastructure.
Domestic Updates (India)
Labour Ministry – Draft Private Placement Agency Bill, 2025
The Ministry of Labour & Employment has released a draft bill regulating private placement agencies, proposing mandatory registration, transparency norms, penalties for violations, and a central authority to oversee compliance.Karnataka – Land Reforms for Renewable Energy
The Karnataka Assembly has passed the Land Reforms and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, facilitating renewable energy projects and aligning with the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.Parliament – Online Gaming Ban
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 has cleared both Houses of Parliament within 72 hours and now awaits Presidential assent. The law bans real-money gaming (RMG), potentially crippling businesses like Dream11, MPL, and PokerBaazi.Semiconductor Push – DLI Scheme
The government has sanctioned 23 chip-design projects under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme to boost India’s semiconductor ecosystem. Startups and MSMEs will develop indigenous chips for applications such as surveillance, energy, and networking.Transport – FASTag Annual Pass
An amendment to the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008 introduces a FASTag Annual Pass for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans at ₹3,000, effective 15 August 2025. The pass covers one year or 200 crossings, whichever is earlier.NITI Aayog – Homestay Policy Report
NITI Aayog, with IAMAI, has released “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”, offering a roadmap to expand India’s homestay and BnB sector.Telecom & Technology – India’s 6G Vision
India has aligned with the ITU-R Recommendation M.2160 on IMT-2030 (6G), outlining global objectives for 6G rollout by 2030. India’s Bharat 6G Vision Document (2023) aims to position the country as a global leader in secure, AI-native networks.GST – Filing Extension
CBIC has extended the due date for July 2025 GSTR-3B filings till 27 August 2025 for businesses in Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts.Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 – Introduced in Lok Sabha
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha. The Bill, referred to a Select Committee, builds on the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Acts.Ports Sector – Indian Ports Bill, 2025 Passed
Rajya Sabha has passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, replacing the colonial-era Indian Ports Act, 1908. The law will modernize governance, improve Centre–State coordination, and enhance investor confidence in India’s maritime sector.
International Updates
Colorado, USA – Algorithmic Discrimination & AI Disclosure
Colorado has introduced AI-focused bills in its special legislative session, amending the state’s AI Act to strengthen consumer protections and anti-discrimination rules. The proposal requires AI developers and deployers to disclose clearly when users are interacting with AI rather than a human, with enforcement by the State Attorney General starting January 1, 2027.UK – Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Commencement
The first set of provisions under the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are now in force, covering data access rights, ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) duties, codes of practice, and mandatory breach notifications.USA – VET Artificial Intelligence Act Introduced
A new bill in the US Congress proposes the VET AI Act, directing NIST to frame voluntary guidelines for AI systems, focusing on assurance mechanisms for internal and external use.UK – Law Commission Discussion Paper on AI & the Law
The UK Law Commission has published a discussion paper exploring how features of machine learning and AI may raise issues across private, public, and criminal law domains.EU – Cross-Border Consultation on AI & Data Protection
Croatia’s AZOP and Germany’s BfDI regulators have jointly launched a consultation on AI and data protection, with a special focus on large language models (LLMs) and their implications for privacy and compliance.Illinois, USA – AI in Therapy Prohibited
Illinois has enacted a law prohibiting licensed mental health professionals from using AI to make independent therapeutic decisions or to detect emotions and mental states.EU – Commission Consultation on Biotech Act
The European Commission has opened consultation on the Biotech Act, seeking inputs on issues such as AI in drug discovery, preventing misuse of biotechnology, and access to anonymized real-world health data.